Hamels, Braun, Kemp Lead 12 New Hall of Fame Ballot

The Baseball Hall of Fame ballot for the upcoming induction cycle is out. Now, fans, analysts, and BBWAA voters will debate for months about who deserves a spot in Cooperstown.

Cole Hamels, Ryan Braun, and Matt Kemp lead a group of 12 first-time candidates hoping to join baseball’s legends. Carlos Beltrán returns after just missing out in 2025, so his candidacy remains a big talking point.

This year’s ballot brings together elite résumés, some controversial legacies, and a handful of fringe cases. Expect lively debates right up until the voting results drop in January.

A Star-Studded List of Newcomers

Plenty of recognizable names from the last twenty years show up among the first-time eligibles. It’s not just Hamels, Braun, and Kemp—there’s a real variety of positions and skill sets represented.

First-Time Candidates to Watch

Some newcomers bring career highlights and postseason moments that fans still talk about:

• Howie Kendrick – Famous for clutch October hits, especially his game-winning homer in the 2019 NLDS.
• Daniel Murphy – Drove the Mets to the 2015 World Series with a wild postseason home run streak.
• Rick Porcello – Won the 2016 AL Cy Young and delivered over a decade of solid starts.
• Shin-Soo Choo – Got on base a ton and contributed consistently for several teams.
• Edwin Encarnación – Three-time All-Star, hammered 424 career home runs.
• Gio González – Two-time All-Star, known for his durability on the mound.
• Alex Gordon – Eight Gold Gloves, a defensive standout year after year.
• Nick Markakis – Quietly racked up over 2,300 hits in 15 steady seasons.
• Hunter Pence – Two World Series rings and brought infectious energy to every clubhouse.

The Beltrán Factor

Carlos Beltrán stands out as the most compelling returning candidate. He came within 19 votes of induction last year, landing at 70.3% support.

Beltrán made nine All-Star teams. His blend of power, speed, and postseason heroics puts him among the most complete players of his generation. With 435 career home runs, he’s up there with the best switch-hitters ever.

Controversy and Context

Beltrán’s Hall case isn’t simple, though. His role in the Astros’ 2017 sign-stealing scandal still hangs over his legacy.

The fallout abruptly ended his shot at managing the Mets before he managed a single game. Some voters can’t get past the scandal, while others argue his on-field achievements should outweigh it. There’s no easy answer.

Other Returning Names

Besides Beltrán, several big-name holdovers are back for another try. Alex Rodriguez and Manny Ramirez have the numbers for Cooperstown, but PED suspicions continue to dog their cases.

Veterans Fighting the Numbers Game

Andruw Jones, Chase Utley, and Andy Pettitte return as well, each with their own story. Pettitte’s in his eighth year on the ballot and has doubled his vote share since 2024, but still sits well short of the 75% needed.

Jones’ elite defense and power keep him in the conversation, while Utley’s combination of peak years and postseason success has won over a lot of modern voters. It’s tough to predict who’ll gain momentum next.

The Voting Process and Timeline

Only BBWAA members with at least 10 years of voting eligibility get a ballot. They have to submit votes by December 31.

Results will be announced January 20. Anyone elected will be inducted July 26 in Cooperstown, alongside picks from the contemporary baseball era committee.

Committee Considerations

This year, the committee is looking at a different set of names: Barry Bonds, Roger Clemens, Don Mattingly, Dale Murphy, Carlos Delgado, Jeff Kent, Gary Sheffield, and Fernando Valenzuela.

These guys aren’t in the standard BBWAA voting process. The committee gives them another shot at Hall of Fame recognition.

The Hall of Fame vote this year feels like it’s mixing stats, morals, and a bit of nostalgia all over again. Will Beltrán finally make it, or could someone new surprise everyone?

 
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